World Cup call for Roscommon’s Jack Carty

Capping a historic week for Roscommon sports stars, Roscommon rugby sensation Jack Carty has been included in the Ireland squad for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Carty’s selection for the eagerly-awaited tournament is a massive personal achievement for the Kiltoom man – and a huge honour for his native county.

Indeed, it is arguably one of greatest achievements ever by a Roscommon-born sports person. Carty’s selection for the World Cup follows hot on the heels of Castlerea native Aoife O’Rourke’s sensational European Boxing Championship gold medal win at the weekend.

Carty broke into the senior international set-up earlier this year, making his Six Nations’ debut in February when he came on as a replacement in Ireland’s win against Italy in Rome. He did his selection prospects no harm with a man of the match display against Wales in Cardiff last weekend.

Carty plays his club rugby with Buccaneers and his club colleague, Athlone native Robbie Henshaw, has also been included in Joe Schmidt’s 31-man squad, announced on Monday.

In a statement, Buccaneers Rugby Football Club expressed delight at the inclusion of Henshaw and Carty. “It is a fantastic achievement that two players from a relatively modest rural club based in Athlone have been selected. Both are young unassuming guys who have worked hard at their sport and will now be involved at rugby’s pinnacle tournament. They are wonderful role models especially for all the younger players at Buccaneers and beyond”.

Jack Carty, born in Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon, was a prolific young sportsman who had a brilliant underage GAA career (with St. Brigid’s and Roscommon). He also excelled in soccer before establishing himself as a rugby player of great note, starring with Buccaneers, and now Ireland. Carty features in a major interview (aptly headlined ‘The world in his hands’) in the current edition of Roscommon People PLUS, available in shop and other outlets locally.